Ariana Grande will make her return to the stage next year on the Eternal Sunshine tour, her first stint on the road in seven years — but she has some theatrical stage plans under wraps, too.
In a recent interview with The New York Times, the singer revealed that she’s been working on a scarcely detailed production that will bring her back to the stage in a different context. “It’s not on Broadway,” Grande said, “but it’s something that I’m very excited about and inspired by.”
Last week, Grande reunited with Allie Trimm and Aaron Simon Gross, who acted alongside her when she made her Broadway debut in the musical 13 in 2008. While she hasn’t been back to Broadway since, she did star in NBC’s live adaptation of Hairspray in the role of Penny back in 2016.
The mystery project joins the musician and actress’ growing list of plans. In addition to the tour and Wicked: For Good, the sequel to last year’s Wicked, which stars Grande in her dream role of Glinda, she will also appear in the Meet the Parents sequel Focker In-Law and Season 13 of Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story. This week, Grande will star in the two-hour NBC special Wicked: One Wonderful Night.
Then there’s the matter of the music. “Of course, music will be in my life forever,” Grande said. “I have to say that for my fans who are reading this who are going to have a heart attack.”
The singer sparred with fans this week after breaking the news that she would miss the Brazil premiere of Wicked: For Good due to flight delays. While some were understandably disappointed, others escalated their response to a concerning extent. “Please don’t wish danger on us,” Grande wrote to them on Instagram. No matter how upset or disappointed you are, please please do not wish danger on us or assume that we didn’t try.”
Speaking with The New York Times, Grande detailed her complicated relationship with her own pop stardom. “I think it got away from me in a way I didn’t expect,” she said. “There’s a thing that comes along with your dreams coming true that feels dangerous at times.”
Stepping into these worlds outside of the realm of her pop star persona — as well as establishing a new team, which required her to split from long-time manager Scooter Braun — has helped her to find balance. “There was something broken about my relationship to pop music that was healed recently through the time away,” Grande said.
